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Something to share with you here, I took the opportunity of knocking off work early on Monday to visit the central public library here in HK. It has a sizeable collection of snuff bottle books and catalogs, but most of them are not for loan which means one may either read them in the library or make copies of them with the photocopying facilities there.

I haven't gone through all the books, but among them I saw works by the late Robert Kleiner. There were also catalogs by Clare Chu. The bottles showcased in those books and catalogs are phenomenal. I wish I may have even just one of them in my collection. I even found a book by Clare on the exhibition of snuff bottles from Californian collectors at LACMA held in conjunction with the Society's Convention in LA two months ago. That's probably the latest publication on snuff bottles. I also found Joey's "Worlds in a Bottle" there.

Since most of those books are not available for loan, I could only make color copy for few pages for my own filing and reference.

There was one special book, by Michael J. Kaynes, called "A Snuff Bottle Miscellany Volume 1" published in 1974 that had been stored in their rare book collection which is hidden away from the public (not on open shelves, but on can be found via the library's online search system) kept in a special plastic box. It was only available upon request. I was only allowed to handle it and read it in a special room for viewing rare books and I had to sterilize my hands with alcohol napkin provided by the library before touching it, as if it was a piece of antique treasure. How precious!

In any case, I feel so blessed that we have such rich and useful resources easily accessible by interested individuals and the general public in our city! It's such a privilege!

Wow! How wonderful Samson! I have never thought to search local libraries for information. I'm sure ours won't have anywhere near the resources you found. Very happy for you, and thanks for sharing. I hope you can enlighten us all with your newfound wisdom!

Good to know of the resources available and will have to keep it in mind when I eventually get to HK. I do like to hang in the old archive rooms of libraries. Love poring through old reference books and old maps.

My 2 hour experience in the central library reminded me of my student life in college (which was about 5 years ago)... The library in my university is equally impressive and resourceful, and I had a lot more free time in between lectures and seminars to visit the library than I have today (certainly most of the time spent in the library back then was for academic assignments and projects). How I wish I can indulge myself in poring through books of my favorite subjects for the entire day in the library! Doesn't that sound lavish?

Charll, let me know when you do come, would be glad to show you around!

There might be a problem - the donation form demands the signatures of anyone with any sort of right to the material.

Stupidly in 1987 and in 1989, I agreed to joint copyright control with the photographer over the 1987 and then 1989 publications. And "In Search of a Dragon' was written and published by Robert Kleiner, though I paid for it. I did have control over printing more copies though, so I assume I have editorial control. especially since Robert Kleiner is gone.

Is there any way you could check if the Public library will accept them if I send them the 3 publications?Best,Shabbat Shalom,Joey